Dual Necessity: Apologetics and Evangelism

Impact

“Two sides of the same coin.” This common metaphor describes two ideas so intimately
related that we can’t separate them despite their apparent distinctions. Evangelism
and apologetics are two separate concepts linked in a very intimate way—so intimate
that we are unlikely to employ one without the other.

Evangelism derives from the Greek word euangelion, which is often
translated “good news.” The good news is the gospel of Jesus Christ—that He
created us, died to pay the penalty for our sins, and made restoration between
us and God possible. Evangelism is the act of sharing that good news (Matthew
28:19–20 and Mark 16:15). It does not take place unless we declare the person
and work of Christ with words (though our behavior should complement our verbal
witness).

Apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia, which doesn’t
mean “to apologize” (as in our modern usage) but rather “to give a defense or
reason.” Apologetics, as commanded in 1 Peter 3:15, only happens when we offer
a defense for the salvation that we have in Christ.

Evangelism is not simply moral living, and apologetics is not simply defending
a scientific model. Both of these activities must be centered on proclaiming
Christ, who He is and what He has done, to fulfill the biblical commands.

As Christians evangelize, questions naturally arise about other related details,
requiring apologetics. For example, Peter says that Creation, the Curse, and
the Flood are important reasons for our confidence in God’s salvation (2 Peter
3:1–12). How can we really share the hope of Christ without explaining the reason
for that hope?

Likewise, if we defend a position merely for the sake of argument, apart from
a gospel-oriented purpose, we’ve missed the point of apologetics. Offering the
hope of Christ and defending that hope are truly two sides of the same coin.

Answers Magazine

April – June 2011

Continual attacks on God’s Word can cause even Christians to question the Bible. Are you prepared to answer the attacks, or more important, questions from those who honestly want to learn how we know God’s Word is true? This issue of Answers will burrow down to the heart of the matter, highlighting seven reasons we know the Bible is true!